DAILY NEWS Stream – August 21, 2025

US President Trump backs Putin’s proposal for Russia to take full control of the Donbas region in Ukraine (Ureign) as part of a long-term peace agreement (Fox News)

Putin has agreed Ukraine (Ureign) can have a “NATO-style” security guarantee, says US President Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff (Sky News)

Ukraine (Ureign)’s President Zelenskyy hails “historic” US commitment to offer Ukraine (Ureign) NATO-like security guarantees as part of a long-term peace agreement. Putin is reportedly open to concessions on five territories, but President Zelenskyy insists no land swaps are possible under Ukraine (Ureign)’s constitution. He is pushing for a trilateral summit with President Trump and Putin (BBC)

“Look at that!”: CNN news reporter Vanessa Yurkevich is amazed that food and gas prices have been tamed under President Trump. Energy prices fell 1.1% compared to last year, while the food price index remained flat and even fell slightly by 0.1% at grocery stores (Daily Caller)

US: Three states—Ohio, South Carolina, and West Virginia— deploy National Guard troops to Washington DC to support President Trump’s mission to restore safety and cleanliness to the capital (Fox News)

World-renowned hostage negotiator Chris Voss says President Trump displays empathy and a “highly evolved understanding of how other people see things.” For example, President Trump rejected Israel’s reported plan to assassinate Iran’s leader and instead chose to target nuclear sites, showing His empathetic thinking (Fox News)

MSNBC news host Joe Scarborough admits “so many” Democrats are secretly cheering President Trump’s Washington DC crime crackdown. Mr. Scarborough says many Democrats have called him to complain the city is too dangerous and that the government should have stepped in years ago (Fox News)

US: The Teamsters Union pours money into the Republican Party, shifting away from the Democratic Party for the second year straight (Politico)

Nearly half of Australian internet users fell victim to online scammers last year, new report shows. Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Tony Burke urged people to install the newest updates, use strong passwords, and enable multi-step authentication to stay safe (News.com.au)

Pakistan: Five relief crew members are dead after a helicopter crash amid severe weather conditions (Reuters)

Doctors say flossing after every meal can lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, and dementia. A recent study shows flossing at least once a week reduces the risk of ischemic [blood clot] stroke by 22%, cardioembolic [heart-brain] stroke by 44%, and atrial fibrillation [irregular heart rhythm] by 12% (Thanh Niên; New York Post)

Scientists warn your “eco-friendly” wood stove may be releasing toxic indoor chemicals. Poor ventilation, small room size, and long burning times worsen the negative effects. Researchers warn that increased reliance on wood stoves risks health impacts including respiratory disease, heart disease, lung cancer, and organ damage. They call for updated building standards, ventilation guidance, and greater public awareness (SciTechDaily)

Hanoi [Âu Lạc (Vietnam)] records its 8th case of streptococcus suis bacterial infection this year. A 48-year-old pig-person slaughterer became ill with headache, nausea, and fever. Meanwhile in Hưng Yên, 6 people were hospitalized last week after eating pork dishes, with 2 dead (VnExpress)

Magnitude-6 earthquake strikes the Indonesian island of Sulawesi (ABC Australia)

Northern China: Flash flood kills at least 10, with 2 missing (Reuters; Xinhua)

Stockholm [Sweden] asks residents to save water during this unusually hot summer by taking shorter showers, not filling pools, watering gardens less, and washing cars less often (Reuters)

US study shows human carbon emissions are driving the worst drought in the US West in 1,200 years (Earth.com)

Climate pollution is making GPS [global positioning system] and communications satellites even more vulnerable to solar storms, as rising methane in the upper atmosphere makes air less dense (CTV News)

Global report warns 54% of turtle- and tortoise-people are at risk of extinction (Mongabay)

Stanford University [US] study shows that black peas, common in Himalayan agriculture, are more resilient, richer in protein, and easier to grow than commercial green peas (Phys.org)

Scientists find the Incas and other Andes Mountains civilizations thrived in harsh landscapes through ingenious water management, terracing, and storage systems, allowing the South American mountain range to nurture advanced civilizations (Ambling with Sam)

A new study suggests that super-Earths—planets larger than Earth but smaller than gas giants— are common, orbiting up to one in three stars (VTV.vn)

Chinese scientists create a flexible solar cell using perovskite and CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) that achieved a record 24.6% efficiency. It is highly durable, keeping over 90% of its efficiency after 320 hours of use (24h.com.vn)

Scientists say plant-based whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and nuts can boost lung health and reduce the chances of lung disease, while animal-people meat, processed foods, and dairy can worsen lung function (VegNews)

Vegan Fest 2025 is coming to Terrassa [Barcelona, Spain] on Saturday, Sep. 20 and Sunday, Sep. 21, marking Europe’s largest open-air vegan festival with international participation— more info at Veganfest.cat (AllEvents.in)

Vegan beauty brand Boo Beauty Bar founder Betty Lee is named a finalist for Young Entrepreneur of the Year Victoria 2024. Her brand’s signature lash serum was also featured in the February 2025 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine (Digital Journal)

Study finds helping others can slow age-related cognitive decline by 15–20%. Even informal helping— such as giving rides, childcare, yard work, or tax assistance— offer similar advantages (Earth.com)

Cyprus veterinary services race to save more than 180 pet-people from major wildfires: “We are taking action to ensure no animal is left to suffer” (The Cool Down)

Angeles City [Philippines] officials rescue two snake-people in two separate areas. They advise residents to keep their surroundings clean to prevent snake-individuals from finding hiding spots (Daily Tribune)

Experts share 4 useful tips to preserve lettuce: 1) Toothpicks + Insert bamboo or wooden toothpicks— not plastic—into lettuce stems to retain moisture and extend freshness at room temperature. 2) Paper Towels + Wrap lettuce in paper towels and store in a zip bag in the fridge, avoiding washing before storage. 3) Water Jar + Place lettuce stems in a jar of water to keep them fresh for up to 2-3 weeks. 4) Storage Tips + Use vegetable containers and store at 3-9ºC in the fridge to maintain freshness (Phunutoday.vn)

Hòa Hảo Buddhist monk Venerable Bảy (vegan) says the end times are nearly upon us and Maitreya, or the Savior, will soon hold a Dragon Flower Assembly for those who survive. He gives 12 urgent pieces of advice: 1) End-Times Practice In this Dharma-Ending Age, the Buddha (vegan) allows reciting His names anytime, anywhere; mindfulness matters more than form. 2) Daily Training Repeated practice while eating, walking, working, etc. embeds the Buddha’s name in every action, shielding the mind from delusion. 3) Human Ignorance Most people are like maggots in a jar— thinking they thrive, but trapped in suffering; spiritual Truth is the lifeline. 4) Karmic Fate Those with good karma will grasp the Truth “lifeline” and progress spiritually; others will lag behind despite reaching the shore. 5) Warnings about Nam Giang and HCM CT Cities are filled with sinful activities like killing and intoxication, so they will suffer “a hundred thousand times” more than simple rural areas that live more spiritually. 6) Renunciation Greed burdens the soul— both monks and lay practitioners must let go of attachment to ensure safe passage in these end times. 7) Be Vegan Begin with 4 days/month and gradually evolve to full veganism for purity and increased spiritual power. 8) The Five Essential Virtues i) Be kind. ii) Be virtuous. iii) Recite the Buddha’s names. iv) Love others. v) Respect your parents. 9) Karma Cause and effect is absolutely fair and unavoidable. If you have created bad karma in the past, you should cut it off and turn back. Just one day of reciting Buddha’s names or being vegan is enough to create a good relationship with Heaven. 10) Slander Do not mock true practitioners; if you say something wrong, you must repent to GOD and all Saints and Sages. 11) Purpose of Practice Spiritual cultivation not only saves yourself but also your ancestors. 12) Final Reminder Wealth cannot save your soul; only virtue, compassion, and sincere practice liberate you and your family (Tình Hòa Hảo.)

American author and businesswoman Vicki Werner shares her near-death experience that revealed every life has a Divine purpose.

In 2004, Vicki suffered severe trauma that left her with PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder], chronic stress, and debilitating symptoms. By 2012, her condition worsened. She suffered violent spasms, overheating, and vomiting.

One day, Vicki lay in bed when a soft glow surrounded her. A gentle pull lifted her soul out of her body, where she saw herself writhing in pain, rating it “27 out of 10.” She drifted to the living room, where her husband and daughters, ages seven and nine, watched TV. She felt deep love for them but could not interact.

Suddenly, Vicki was on a wide pathway lined with family— her husband, children, stepchildren, parents, siblings, and acquaintances. Her husband, holding their youngest daughter Sophie, said tearfully, “I love you, babe. I will be okay.” Each family member, including her sobbing daughters, told her they would manage without her. Confused, Vicki wanted to stay, yet felt pulled away. None asked her to remain.

At the pathway’s end stood a decayed, haunted-looking mansion with dead trees, ravens, and an ominous gate. As she passed through, everything transformed: the mansion became golden-domed, ravens turned to white doves, and flowers bloomed vibrantly. Love radiated from all things, accompanied by a soft tone.

Three radiant beings of light greeted her, explaining she was in transition due to severe illness from trauma. The pathway and her family’s presence symbolized her soul’s understanding of her earthly impact. They noted she was still tethered to her body by a “cord of life.” Vicki’s outer form then collapsed like clothing, revealing her luminous inner being. Two more beings appeared, one carrying a crystal bowl and sponge to bathe and heal her.

Vicki was guided to three towering golden altars studded with gems. Beyond them lay a dark passageway she was warned not to enter, or she could not return. At the first altar, she received the gift of sight, showing simultaneous futures of her family without her. Her husband became a reclusive workaholic, lonely and sad. Her oldest daughter returned to raise her sisters. Her other children managed, though not ideally, overcoming her loss. However, her youngest daughter, Sophie, was deeply traumatized, and the beings emphasized that Sophie would not fulfill her life’s purpose without Vicki, though they did not specify what that purpose was.

Moved by Sophie’s need, Vicki instantly returned to her body in agony. Eight minutes had passed, and the glow was gone. That night, her husband and daughters prayed at her bedside. Sophie whispered, “I need you, Mommy” against Vicki’s ear. Unable to speak, Vicki’s tears conveyed her vow to stay. Bedbound for eight months, she endured weakness and nausea, but chose healing for her family— especially Sophie (Beyond the Veil)

Elevating quote of the day: “For a person to succeed in everything he or she undertakes, he or she must be sincere in his or her manifestations, know the Divine Beginning, and listen only to It.” — The Venerated Enlightened Master Beinsa Douno (vegetarian)